Risk-Sharing
chances of becoming involved in a crash. Remember you not only have to drive for yourself but also for the other users of the roadway. You’ll thank yourself for using these techniques when the car ahead suddenly spins out because the road was covered with snow, ice or slush.
Winter Driving Tips
Winter is fast approaching and with it comes hazardous driving conditions. Motor vehicle crashes are still the leading cause of all work-related fatalities. Now is a good time to review some safety tips for winter driving.
Clear Snow and Ice from your Vehicle
How many times have you met a motorist driving with only that small “porthole” of ice scraped from their windshield? Whenever I meet one of these motorists, it serves as a reminder of why each of us needs to drive defensively. We certainly cannot control the unsafe choices that other drivers make, but we can reduce our chances of becoming a statistic by driving defensively. Take some time and make sure that you clear the snow off your vehicle, including your headlights and tail lamps and be sure to scrape all the windows. Keep in mind that snow blowing from the roof and hood of your vehicle poses a visibility hazard to the driver behind you. Don’t forget to turn your headlights on dim whenever visibility has been reduced from snow or blowing snow. Don’t Overdrive Road Conditions
Remember that speed limits are meant for dry roads, not roads covered in ice and snow. Accelerate and decelerate slowly. Applying the gas slowly to accelerate is the best method for regaining traction and avoiding skids. Don’t try to get moving in a hurry. And take time to slow down for a stoplight. Remember: It takes longer to slow down on icy roads. Be cautious on bridges and overpasses as they are commonly the first areas to become icy. Do not use cruise control when driving on a slippery surface. Keep a Safe Distance
Tailgating often ends in rear-end collisions and can also provoke road rage incidents. The safe following distance, in ideal conditions, between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you is three seconds. The National Safety Council also recommends that you add at least one more second of following distance for every adverse condition you encounter. In winter driving conditions, slowing down and increasing your following distance are two key defensive driving techniques that will greatly reduce your 36
If you are driving with four-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, remember the stopping distance is the same for you as it is for two-wheel drive vehicles. And because four-wheel drive and all-wheel drive vehicles tend to be taller and have a higher center of gravity, once they begin to slide, they’re harder to keep upright. Wear your Seatbelt!
So far in 2017, over 66 percent of occupants killed in motor vehicle crashes in South Dakota were not wearing a seat belt. The National Safety Council estimates that wearing a seat belt can increase chances of surviving a motor vehicle crash by about 50 percent and reduce the risk of a fatal injury to front-seat passenger-car occupants by 45 percent. Why wouldn’t you want the statistics working in your favor? Know how to Brake
Up until a few years ago, we taught the “off-off” technique for keeping a vehicle under control in a skid. If you went into a skid, you were taught to keep your foot off the accelerator and brakes and you were to steer into the skid and regain control. If you had to stop right away, you pumped your brakes – not slam on them.
Today we also teach another method for those vehicles equipped with anti-lock brakes (ABS). For vehicles equipped with ABS, you need to keep steady pressure on the brake pedal. As long as you do so, you will continue to be able to steer the vehicle and maintain control. A problem for most that are unaccustomed to anti-lock brakes is when you do so, you will feel the brake pedal “pulsate” and you will hear a “clattering” noise. Often the initial reaction is to remove your foot from the brake pedal and that defeats the advantage of having anti-lock brakes. Oh, one more thing. For those of you who drive multiple different vehicles, check whether or not the current vehicle is equipped with ABS so you apply the correct technique. Winterize your Vehicle
Back in my younger days, we used to change to snow tires for the winter and if we were lucky we might even get studded tires. All-season radials and front-wheel drive vehicles no longer make this necessary in most areas. We still need to make sure that our vehicles are prepared for cold and icy weather. Be sure to always keep the fuel tank at least half full. Make sure the battery is in good condition. Keep your tires properly inflated and in good condition. Don’t forget to check the spare. Make sure the wiper blades are in good condition and that you have plenty of washer fluid that is formulated not to freeze. SOUTH DAKOTA MUNICIPALITIES
